Ruturaj Gaikwad once again underlined his class and consistency with a record-breaking century in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, sending a strong message to the Indian selectors after his omission from the ODI squad for the New Zealand series.
Ruturaj Gaikwad record century helped the Maharashtra captain produce a magnificent unbeaten 134, guiding his side to a thrilling five-run victory over Goa in their Elite Group C clash at the Dr Soni Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Coming in at a precarious position with Maharashtra struggling early, Gaikwad showcased remarkable composure and counterattacking intent.
Walking in at number five with the score reading 2 for 3 in just the second over, the right-hander anchored the innings superbly while launching timely assaults on the bowlers.
His 134 not out came off 131 deliveries and featured eight boundaries and six towering sixes, highlighting both patience and power.
This innings marked Gaikwad’s second century of the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, following his earlier knock of 124 against Uttarakhand in December.
More significantly, it was his 15th century in the tournament, equalling the long-standing record held by his Maharashtra teammate Ankit Bawne for the most centuries in India’s premier domestic one-day competition.
What makes Gaikwad’s achievement even more remarkable is that he reached the milestone in just 59 matches, compared to Bawne’s 101 games.
Gaikwad has been one of the standout performers in the Vijay Hazare Trophy over the years, amassing 3,336 runs at an impressive average of 65.41 and a strike rate exceeding 105.
In List A cricket overall, the 28-year-old has scored 5,060 runs in 99 matches, including 20 centuries and 19 fifties, underlining his credentials as a dependable top-order batter.
Against Goa, Gaikwad stitched together crucial partnerships to rescue Maharashtra from collapse.
He added 106 runs for the seventh wicket with Vicky Ostwal, who contributed a valuable 53, before unleashing an explosive 91-run stand with Rajvardhan Hangargekar, who chipped in with a quickfire 32 not out.
Their efforts helped Maharashtra post a competitive total of 249 for 7 in 50 overs.
The knock carried added significance as it came just days after Gaikwad was overlooked for India’s ODI squad, with Shreyas Iyer preferred following his return to fitness.
Gaikwad had last featured for India during the ODI series against South Africa, where he made a strong impression with a superb 105 off 83 balls in Raipur.
His latest Vijay Hazare masterclass serves as a timely reminder of his form, hunger, and readiness for international cricket, keeping him firmly in contention for an ODI recall.
Overall, the Indian Cricket Team Full Schedule for 2026 reflects a demanding yet exciting year, filled with high-stakes encounters, historic rivalries, and opportunities for new stars to shine on the international stage.
